Anna K. Pfaehler, CFP

The Supreme Court's ruling to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act and California's Proposition 8 raises complex financial planning and tax questions with no clear answers for many same-sex couples.

If you're diagnosed with a life-threatening illness what steps should you take to put your financial affairs in order and avoid headaches for your heirs? Also, the extra precautions same-sex couples need to take when creating and executing a will.

What you can still do by the end of 2012 to lower taxes and improve your planning and portfolio. Your financial institution won't always remind you, so it's good to keep these things on your mind.